news article 10 september

[Inside Australian Idol]

Television
Australian Idol boogies down to the disco
By eBroadcast staff and agencies.
Sep 10, 2003, 20:00



Many of us have been anxiously waiting for the final rounds of Australian Idol to kick in.

What has been confirmed so far is that the lucky finalists will get to perform with a live band, a much larger high-tech set, and a live studio audience. Each week, a theme will be applied to the episode, which will test the contestant’s versatility.

The first theme can also ‘almost’ be confirmed. We’ve heard whispers the first night will be a 70’s theme. That’s right folks, get your platforms out for an Australian Idol disco extravaganza!

Viewers will then choose which performer they least like, and who will then be voted off the following night.

Also whispered for future weeks will be a Moulin Rouge night, an Aussie Rock night, and special event nights based on the songs of famous entertainers, where the entertainer honored will also get to judge. Names mentioned already include John Farnham, Elton John, Baz Luhrmann, Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Minogue.

In other Idol news, Ten will soon launch a second edition named Inside Idol. The 1 hour format will air in a 7.30pm timeslot on Thursday nights.

www.ebroadcast.com.au/entertainment/news/publish/Australian_Idol_boogies_down_to_the_disco.shtml

[Inside Australian Idol]

Rob's our great Idol hope
THE EYE
10sep03

TAKE a bow Victoria, at long last you've voted a local into the finals of Australian Idol.

In the last of the semis, Melbourne cover band singer Rob Mills won through with a ripper of a rendition of the Robbie Williams hit Angels. The other semi winner was Paulini Curuenavuli.
"It's just starting to hit me now," he told The Eye yesterday.

"I've always loved to perform, so I'm just stoked."

Millsy has had a regular Sunday night gig at the Red Eagle in Albert Park with his cover band The Megamen for two years.

His friends and family packed out the pub on Sunday for his performance and Monday night for the results, cheering loudly every time they saw him on the show on the big screen.

"The Red Eagle has been really supportive," he said.

"We started performing in front of 10 people, and now the pub is packed every week."

The 21-year-old factory worker first got the performance bug when he sang so well in front of his classmates at Brentwood High in Wheelers Hill that he made his girlfriend cry.

He finished school at Box Hill and after he got a D+ in performance in music, he vowed to always give 100 per cent when he performed, whether it be in front of two people or thousands.

"I have that attitude for every performance, and I've told everybody at the auditions in Sydney," he told The Eye.

Mills also has a gig at the Anglers Tavern in Maribyrnong and he'll be there this Saturday night for interested Idol fans.

Red Eagle manager Doug Smith said Millsy was just part of the family, and now that he's through, the pub is likely to show the finals live every week.

Both the fabulous Courtney Act (please, vote her in), and new father Stu Campbell both received wild cards for next week's special episode.

Channel 10 is not announcing the eight other wild cards until Sunday night, but The Eye has a good idea who has made it from the judges' previous comments.

We think Victorians Liban Aden, Axle Whitehead, and Yolande Jackson all will be back.

Other contestants Rebekah La Vauney, Cosima De Vito, Rebecca Tapie, Eli Diache and Lorena Alegria all have a good chance.


www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7218933%255E2902,00.html